Rumor - In Development

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Receive Special Effects on Final Lift Hill

Time Frame

Summer 2020

Rumor Status

In Development

Specific Details

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is expected to receive similar special effects additions as the Disneyland counterpart to the attraction. The 2013-2014 refurbishment of the Disneyland version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad resulted in a fiber optics dynamite charge and a steam "explosion" during the final lift scene.

Video of the special effects introduce to the Disneyland version can be found in the video below at 2 minutes and 32 seconds:

There is a rumor of 50 additions to Walt DIsney World by the 50th Anniversary, and the enhancements to the Big Thunder Mountain final lift hill are a candidate for one of those 50 additions.

Rumor Timeline

March 4, 2018: WDWMagic.com user marni1971 reiterated his belief that the updates to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would be in place by Summer 2020.

June 19, 2017: WDWMagic.com user marni1971 said the new plan for the explosion effect for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is Summer of 2020.

March 18, 2017: WDWMagic.com user WDW1974 is reporting that for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, Disney is looking to add 50 "Magical Enhancements" for the 50th Anniversary. The 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World is October 1, 2021 and one of the rumored enhancements was the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad finale explosion that was added to Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.

March 3, 2016: WDWMagic.com has confirmed that the refurbishment dates were changed to August 8 - November 18th.

February 23, 2016: TheDibb.Co.UK is reporting that the refurbishment dates for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad have changed to August 8 - November 18th.

January 26, 2016: WDWNT.com is reporting that the explosion upgrade is expected in the upcoming refurbishment.

December 14, 2015: WDWMagic.com user marni1971 is reporting that Walt Disney World is supposed to see upgrades to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but did not confirm that it would be done in the upcoming refurbishment.

August 5, 2015: WDWMagic,com user lnsemsf has reported that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment from April 4, 2016 - July 15, 2016.

February 13, 2015: WDWMagic.com user lnsemsf has reported that the refurbishment has been moved to April 27-30, 2015.

December 2, 2014: WDWMagic.com has reported that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close for refurbishment from March 4-7, 2015. Details of the refurbishment are currently unknown.

May 12, 2014: On Episode #58 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish with Jim Hill, Jim Hill mentioned that the final lift hill enhancements would be coming to Walt Disney World eventually.

April 14, 2014: WDWMagic.com user WDW1974 has reported that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is expected to receive similar special effects additions as the Disneyland counterpart to the attraction. The 2013-2014 refurbishment of the Disneyland version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad resulted in a fiber optics dynamite charge and a steam "explosion" during the final lift scene.